The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 286, aims to enhance financial assistance for grandparents and other nonparent relatives who are raising children. The bill modifies section 17b-112 of the general statutes by repealing the existing subsection (a) and replacing it with new provisions that establish a temporary family assistance program administered by the Department of Social Services. This program will provide cash assistance to eligible families in line with the federal temporary assistance for needy families program. Notably, the bill allows the Commissioner of Social Services to operate a state-funded version of the program to avoid federal fiscal penalties, while ensuring that families receiving assistance meet the same eligibility criteria as those under the federal program.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new payment standard for families where the head of the household is a nonparent caretaker relative and legal guardian of a child. This payment will be equal to the prevailing monthly foster care rate per child, determined by the child's age and medical condition, as set by the Department of Children and Families. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to provide equitable financial support to relatives raising children, similar to the benefits available to those who adopt unrelated children.